Justice Sadhna Jadhav noted that of late several cases were coming before the High Court in which victims have filed complaints alleging rape and contending that they had entered into relationships after being promised marriage. In a relationship between consenting adults, sometimes such complaints are filed in the heat of moment and withdrawn later. This has become a trend and sends wrong signal to the society, the judge observed on Wednesday.

The court cautioned the police to be vigilant and hold an initial inquiry before registering the case, to find out whether the rape complaint is genuine or not.

The judge was hearing an anticipatory bail plea of Divyesh Vala (35), who admitted that he was in relationship with a 42-year-old central excise inspector. He pleaded that he was falsely implicated and the case was causing him harm and agony. The woman had alleged that she was raped by Vala. The judge however granted anticipatory bail to Vala but asked him to report to the police station every Sunday until the investigation was over.

The court observed that both the complainant and accused were adults and further noted that the victim, in her complaint, had not disclosed that she had sexual relations with Vala because he had promised to marry her.

The judge said it was not inclined to send Vala in custody because no useful purpose would be served in doing so, except satisfying victim's vendetta.